'Regulate' definitions:

Definition of 'regulate'

From: WordNet
verb
Fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of; "regulate the temperature"; "modulate the pitch" [syn: regulate, modulate]
verb
Bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations; "We cannot regulate the way people dress"; "This town likes to regulate" [syn: regulate, regularize, regularise, order, govern] [ant: deregulate]
verb
Shape or influence; give direction to; "experience often determines ability"; "mold public opinion" [syn: determine, shape, mold, influence, regulate]
verb
Check the emission of (sound) [syn: baffle, regulate]

Definition of 'Regulate'

From: GCIDE
  • Regulate \Reg"u*late\ (-l[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Regulated (-l[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Regulating.] [L. regulatus, p. p. of regulare, fr. regula. See Regular.]
  • 1. To adjust by rule, method, or established mode; to direct by rule or restriction; to subject to governing principles or laws. [1913 Webster]
  • The laws which regulate the successions of the seasons. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own disputes, and regulated their own police. --Bancroft. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To put in good order; as, to regulate the disordered state of a nation or its finances. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To adjust, or maintain, with respect to a desired rate, degree, or condition; as, to regulate the temperature of a room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • To regulate a watch or To regulate a clock, to adjust its rate of running so that it will keep approximately standard time. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: To adjust; dispose; methodize; arrange; direct; order; rule; govern. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'regulate'

From: Moby Thesaurus